shepherd



No. 6|4,580. Patented Nov. 22, I898.

J. SHEPHERIL.

SPARK ARRESTEB.

(Application filed May 5, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2- (No Model.)

TNE npnms PETERS co moron-mm wnsnmafou'. Ii. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

- JAMES SHEPHERD, OF WELLINGTON, NEV ZEALAND.

SPARK-ARRESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 614,580, dated November 22, 1898.

Application filed May 5, 1898. Serial No. 679,749. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES SHEPHERD, a British subject, and a resident of 54 Lambton Quay, Wellington, New Zealand, have invented an Improved Spark-Arrester and Smoke-Consumer, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices used for arresting sparks and consuming smoke from steam-boilers and its object is to provide apparatus which may be readily affixed to existing boilers and be efiective in arresting sparks and consuming a considerable proportion of the smoke.

The invention as carried out in the form which is preferred consists of a driving-fan operated by the exhaust-steam to revolve one or more fans which withdraw the products of combustion from the smoke-box and force the same into the funnel, where they meet the exhaust-steam after it has been utilized in operating the driving-fan. Sparks drawn into the fans are extinguished by the fans or after escaping therefrom in a partially extinguished condition are finally extinguished by the exhaust-steam. The draft in the funnel is regular, since the action of the fans is to draw an even and constant stream of hot gases from the smoke-box. The fire has thus a regular and constant draft, with a resulting improved fire and better consumption of smoke.

In order that the invention may be most easily understood, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention as applied to the smoke-box of a locomotive-boiler.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a locomotive smoke-box fitted with the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same on line A B, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exterior side view of the same. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the funnel on line 0 D, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to the views, the smoke-box a has an exhaust-pipe a, fitted with a drivingfan I) and connected to the funnel o by airtight joints. The shaft 1) of fan b extends upon each side and carries fans d, in the casings d of which are bearings d Ball-bearings are preferred to reduce friction as much of combustion and the exhaust-steam after striking the baffle-plate f, which is perforated with holes f, pass out of the funnel c.

A by-pass 9 may be opened by operating regulating-valve g from the foot-plate by any ordinary means connected to the shaft 9 to allow some or the whole of the exhaust-steam to pass. This is necessary when the exhauststeam is driving the fans at too great a speed or in case the fans should get out of order. The engine would thus not be disabled in case of the apparatus failing to operate.

When the engine is standing, the products of combustion pass through the fan-casings d and up the pipes d to the funnel.

The chamber b of the fan I) is made with a gradually-increasingradius to leave an increasingly-widening space b between the periphery of the fan and the casing 12 and to prevent the steam from being carried around by the fan.

The vanes (32 of fans 02 are shaped, as shown on Fig. 2, to lessen the noise made by ordinary fans when revolving at a high speed.

It is obvious that pipes may be conducted from the pipes d to the fire-box and a portion of the hot gases utilized for increasing the combustion of the fuel.

Where the exhaust-steam cannot be employed to operate the fans, the fans 01 may be revolved by means of pulleys and abelt driven from the engine-shaft or by any other suitable means.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is- 1. In combination with the smoke-box of an engine a driving-fan operated by the exhauststeam of the engine apertures in the smokeboX fans for withdrawing the products of combustion from the smoke-box pipes for conveying the said products to the funnel an exthaust-pipe fitted air-tight between the steamchest and the funnel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.

2. In combinationwith the smoke-box of an engine a driving-fan operated by the exhauststeam of the engine apertures in the smokebox fans for Withdrawing the products of combustion from the smoke-box pipes for conveying' the said products to the funnel an exhaust-pipe fitted air-tight between the steamchest and the funnel and a by-pass, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.

3. In combination with the smoke-box of an engine a driving-fan operated by the exhaust steam of the engine apertures in the smokebox fans for withdrawing the products of combustion from the smoke-box pipes for conveying the said products to the funnel an exhaust-pipe fitted air-tight between the steamchest and thefunnela by-pass and a regulating-valve in the by-pass, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.

4. In combination with the smoke-box of an engine a driving-fan operated by the exhauststeam of the engine apertures in the smokeboX fans for withdrawing the products of combustion from the smoke-box pipes for conveying the said products to the funnel an exhaust-pipe fitted air-tight between the steamchest and the funnel a bafile-plate in the funnel a bypass and a regulating-valve in the by-pass, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES SHEPHERD.

\Vitnesses:

E. S. BALDWIN, A. S. COLLINS. 

